We have investigated Arthurian Legend resources in multiple formats to support our project which is designed to expose young students and their parents to these legends in a public library program series. We have selected the best resources based on cultural authenticity and appropriateness for our audience to include in our Programming Plan. The annotations for our selected resources are provided below.
Print Resources:
Young Lancelot
San Souci, Robert D. Young Lancelot. Illus. Jamichael Henterly. 1996. 32p. Random House Children's Books. $1.99. (9780440414599)
San Souci tells the story of Sir Lancelot as an orphan adopted by the Lady of the Lake, whom he refers to as Niniane in this story, but is often known as Nimue or Vivienne in other versions of the legends. As in other stories of Sir Lancelot, he is quite good-looking and is a talented fighter. However, he is introduced not as the kind knight many might think him to be, but as a young man who can be particularly heartless. He is tested three times and defeats several enemies, but he fails during the third test and is overcome with anger and shame at the hit to his pride. It is not until he recognizes his own selfishness that he learns to feel sympathy and compassion for others.
This third volume in Robert D. San Souci’s series about the Arthurian Legends features vividly colored illustrations that are exquisitely detailed and feature elements of Medieval and Celtic art and architecture. This story is appropriate for a wide variety of ages, as San Souci has toned down Lancelot’s otherwise violent encounters, and is a great tie-in for children who know more about King Arthur and Merlin and less of the backgrounds of the other knights.
Young Merlin
San Souci, Robert D. Young Merlin. Illus. Daniel Horne. 1990. 32p. Random House Children's Books. $1.99. (9780440411598)
Robert D. San Souci is an award winning author who often retells traditional tales. In Young Merlin San Souci offers young readers a look at the life of Merlin the Magician before he meets King Arthur. In this tale, Merlin's miraculous birth is recounted, his ability to see the future and cast spells, and his friendship with King Aurelius, Arthur's Uncle, is explored. The making of the King Aurelius' tomb, often believed to be Stonehenge, is also recounted.
Daniel Horne's illustrations are detailed and enhance the text. Handsomely drawn illuminated capitals add an interesting feel to the pages.
Young Arthur
San Souci, Robert D. Young Arthur. Illus. Jamichael Henterly. 1997. 32p. Random House Children's Books. $1.99. (9780440412601)
Once again, San Souci brings the legend of Arthur to life as he recounts the birth and childhood of the future King. Arthur is raised by a foster family, knowing nothing of his noble birth until the fateful day he pulls the famous sword, Excalibur, from the stone. In order to claim his place as the rightful King of England he must fight many battles and become a man of justice and wisdom with the help of Merlin. The author credits Tennyson, Andrew Lang, Howard Pyle and others in his source note reflecting his lifelong interest in Arthurian Legends.
Henterly's illustrations are captivating, from the cover that features Arthur with brilliant blue eyes, to the decorative borders on pages that are reminiscent of parchment.
Young Guinevere
San Souci, Robert D. Young Guinevere. Illus. Jamichael Henterly. 1993. 32p. Random House Children's Books. $1.99. (9780440412915)
In another volume from Robert D. San Souci, he explores the life of Guinevere, future wife of and queen to King Arthur. Guinevere is given somewhat of a modern twist, which may help younger children make a better personal connection to this mythic character. Guinevere is given a bit of an Athena-treatment, evidence of San Souci’s modernization of the character, as she is fond of using her bow and roaming the forest in addition to the traditional womanly pastimes. She has her own adventures, aided in part by a young boy who can be referred to as a werewolf, and eventually meets King Arthur.
Fans of the Arthurian Legends know that Arthur and Guinevere’s marriage is not a happy one in the end, but San Souci’s sanitized version of the story only hints at the unhappiness to come. Guinevere does marry Arthur and becomes Queen. Henterly illustrates yet another volume of San Souci’s work and, once again, the work is boldly colored, richly detailed, and representative of Medieval and Celtic art.
Audio/Visual Resources:
History Channel. Quest for King Arthur. 2009. 100 min. A&E Home Video. $28.00. (B002KBG3P8)
The History Channel provides an in-depth exploration of the research done to discover if King Arthur really existed. Much of the documentary focuses on the legends surrounding Arthur, but those legends are clearly separated from the facts detailed by historians and archaeologists in their search for evidence of who Arthur may have been.
Ancient Mysteries: Camelot DVD
History Channel. Ancient Mysteries: Camelot. 2005. 50 min. A&E Home Video. $24.98. (B0007WFUFQ)
This DVD, narrated by actor Leonard Nimoy, tracks the development of the Legend of King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table, the Holy Grail, and Camelot throughout literary history. While the focus tends to be on the evolution of the literature and the legend, there are also references to archaeological research regarding the existence of an actual King Arthur. This DVD also includes interviews with folklorists and scholars. The DVD does a good job of tying in legend, myth, literature, history, archaeology and geography, hopefully giving young viewers a better idea of how all these aspects are connected.
Osborne, Mary Pope. Christmas in Camelot. 2006. Listening Library. $32.92. (0739336886)
Jack and Annie are invited to spend Christmas Eve in Camelot which sends them on a quest to break dark wizard Mordred's spell. If they are unable to succeed on this mysterious mission, Camelot will be forgotten forever. Jack and Annie bravely accept the challenge and learn about a culture and time from the distant past.
This free online resource provides in-depth information on King Arthur. The site offers extensive articles on King Arthur as an historical figure and the legends surrounding the name. Characters, places, sources, and texts are all explored. Additional links allow readers to continue their search.
Book Review Sources:
TWU Databases: Academic Search Complete; Book Review Digest Plus
Works Cited Krosseel. "kr051608_011.jpg." MorguFile. http://mrg.bz/Prxaqd (Accessed April 15, 2014).
Works Consulted Bianco, Robert. 2002. "Critic's Corner (Film Review)." USA Today. August 26.
Assignment 4.2: Resource Development - Partner Project
This project is a collaboration between Amy Stafford and Cindi Wynia on the Resource Development of Arthurian Legends.
Collaboration Pages:
http://wynia-storytelling.wikispaces.com/Resource+Developmenthttp://telleroftales.wikispaces.com/Resource+Development+Collaboration
We have investigated Arthurian Legend resources in multiple formats to support our project which is designed to expose young students and their parents to these legends in a public library program series. We have selected the best resources based on cultural authenticity and appropriateness for our audience to include in our Programming Plan. The annotations for our selected resources are provided below.
Print Resources:
San Souci tells the story of Sir Lancelot as an orphan adopted by the Lady of the Lake, whom he refers to as Niniane in this story, but is often known as Nimue or Vivienne in other versions of the legends. As in other stories of Sir Lancelot, he is quite good-looking and is a talented fighter. However, he is introduced not as the kind knight many might think him to be, but as a young man who can be particularly heartless. He is tested three times and defeats several enemies, but he fails during the third test and is overcome with anger and shame at the hit to his pride. It is not until he recognizes his own selfishness that he learns to feel sympathy and compassion for others.
This third volume in Robert D. San Souci’s series about the Arthurian Legends features vividly colored illustrations that are exquisitely detailed and feature elements of Medieval and Celtic art and architecture. This story is appropriate for a wide variety of ages, as San Souci has toned down Lancelot’s otherwise violent encounters, and is a great tie-in for children who know more about King Arthur and Merlin and less of the backgrounds of the other knights.
Robert D. San Souci is an award winning author who often retells traditional tales. In Young Merlin San Souci offers young readers a look at the life of Merlin the Magician before he meets King Arthur. In this tale, Merlin's miraculous birth is recounted, his ability to see the future and cast spells, and his friendship with King Aurelius, Arthur's Uncle, is explored. The making of the King Aurelius' tomb, often believed to be Stonehenge, is also recounted.
Daniel Horne's illustrations are detailed and enhance the text. Handsomely drawn illuminated capitals add an interesting feel to the pages.
Once again, San Souci brings the legend of Arthur to life as he recounts the birth and childhood of the future King. Arthur is raised by a foster family, knowing nothing of his noble birth until the fateful day he pulls the famous sword, Excalibur, from the stone. In order to claim his place as the rightful King of England he must fight many battles and become a man of justice and wisdom with the help of Merlin. The author credits Tennyson, Andrew Lang, Howard Pyle and others in his source note reflecting his lifelong interest in Arthurian Legends.
Henterly's illustrations are captivating, from the cover that features Arthur with brilliant blue eyes, to the decorative borders on pages that are reminiscent of parchment.
In another volume from Robert D. San Souci, he explores the life of Guinevere, future wife of and queen to King Arthur. Guinevere is given somewhat of a modern twist, which may help younger children make a better personal connection to this mythic character. Guinevere is given a bit of an Athena-treatment, evidence of San Souci’s modernization of the character, as she is fond of using her bow and roaming the forest in addition to the traditional womanly pastimes. She has her own adventures, aided in part by a young boy who can be referred to as a werewolf, and eventually meets King Arthur.
Fans of the Arthurian Legends know that Arthur and Guinevere’s marriage is not a happy one in the end, but San Souci’s sanitized version of the story only hints at the unhappiness to come. Guinevere does marry Arthur and becomes Queen. Henterly illustrates yet another volume of San Souci’s work and, once again, the work is boldly colored, richly detailed, and representative of Medieval and Celtic art.
Audio/Visual Resources:
The History Channel provides an in-depth exploration of the research done to discover if King Arthur really existed. Much of the documentary focuses on the legends surrounding Arthur, but those legends are clearly separated from the facts detailed by historians and archaeologists in their search for evidence of who Arthur may have been.
This DVD, narrated by actor Leonard Nimoy, tracks the development of the Legend of King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table, the Holy Grail, and Camelot throughout literary history. While the focus tends to be on the evolution of the literature and the legend, there are also references to archaeological research regarding the existence of an actual King Arthur. This DVD also includes interviews with folklorists and scholars. The DVD does a good job of tying in legend, myth, literature, history, archaeology and geography, hopefully giving young viewers a better idea of how all these aspects are connected.
Jack and Annie are invited to spend Christmas Eve in Camelot which sends them on a quest to break dark wizard Mordred's spell. If they are unable to succeed on this mysterious mission, Camelot will be forgotten forever. Jack and Annie bravely accept the challenge and learn about a culture and time from the distant past.
Online Resources:
Basic King Arthur**Arthur the King** - A biographical sketch.
**Arthur the Myth** - Was Arthur purely mythical?
**Arthur the Warlord** - Arthur as battlefield commander.
**References to Arthur** - Early mentions of Arthur in literature.
**Arthur in Popular Literature** - Arthur in later literature.
Arthurian Characters**Guinevere** - Arthur's wayward wife
**Merlin** - King Arthur's magician
**Ambrosius Aurelianus** - Some say he's Arthur
**Joseph of Arimathea** - Biblical character in England?
**Uther Pendragon** - Arthur's legendary father
**Ygerna** - Arthur's legendary mother
**Nimue** - The Lady of the Lake
**Vortigern** - Sponsor of the Saxons
Aspects of the Arthurian Legend**Camelot** - King Arthur's Magnificent Court.
**Excalibur** - Arthur's famous sword.
**The Holy Grail** - The most mystical of objects.
**King Arthur's Knights** - King Arthur's Chivalric Order.
**The Round Table** - World's most famous table!
Places with Arthurian Connections**Cadbury Castle** - Was this Camelot?
**Magical Glastonbury** - by Geoffrey Ashe
**Arthurian Locations** - Index of places associated with King Arthur.
**Glastonbury Abbey** - and the legends of King Arthur & Joseph of Arimathea
**Special Nature of Glastonbury** - by John Michell
Important Arthurian Sources & Texts**De Excidio Britanniae** - c.540, Gildas.
**Historia Brittonum** - c.830, Nennius.
**Annales Cambriae** - c. 970, Annals of Wales.
Other Items of Interest**Arthurian Reources Index** - More articles, bios, texts, maps, more!
**Dark Age Timeline** - 5th-7th C. chronology
**Legendary British Kings** - by Geoffrey of Monmouth
**Geoffrey Ashe** - An interview
**Historical Maps** - Visualizing early history
**Early British Kingdoms** - Britain in Arthur's time
**28 British Cities** - Nennius' 9th C. gazetteer
. . . and much more!
http://www.britannia.com/history/h12.html
Book Review Sources:
TWU Databases: Academic Search Complete; Book Review Digest Plus
Works Cited
Krosseel. "kr051608_011.jpg." MorguFile. http://mrg.bz/Prxaqd (Accessed April 15, 2014).
Works Consulted
Bianco, Robert. 2002. "Critic's Corner (Film Review)." USA Today. August 26.
Dooley, Patricia. 1993. “Young Guinevere (Book Review).” School Library Journal 39 (5). 120.
Estes, Cheri. 1996. “Young Lancelot (Book Review).” School Library Journal 42 (11). 118.
Hallet, Vicky & Silver, Marc. 2004 (Film Review)." U.S. News & World Report 136 (22). 12.
Hutcheson, Barbara. 1990. “Young Merlin (Book Review).” School Library Journal 36 (9). 220.
M.,E. 2001. “Christmas in Camelot (Book Review).” School Library Journal 47 (10). 68.
Margolis, Sally. 1997. “Young Arthur (Book Review).” School Library Journal 43 (10). 123.